The government’s current efforts to immediately and drastically implement measures to combat violence in stadiums seem to be falling into a void, as clubs, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), and even police unions remain opposed to the proposed draft legislation.
The CFA and clubs demand joint decision-making with the government on when matches will be played behind closed doors, with the final decision belonging to the Federation.
Regarding the issue of fan clubs, the first attempt to bring them under control faced mass opposition from the clubs.
After what was said in the three-hour session of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament, the Minister of Justice appeared disappointed by what he heard from all parties involved.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis mentioned that the government’s determination and effectiveness seem to be hindered by some pathologies that have plagued Cypriot football for years.
“We proposed immediate measures to alleviate a serious problem related to the safety of citizens and healthy fans,” he said.
Speaking to the committee examining a revised bill on measures against violence with alcohol and narcotic tests on fans outside stadiums, the Minister of Justice referred to the conditions he faced, as, “within 48 hours, there was no crime that hadn’t occurred. We had clashes at two football matches,” he said. The tools were given, and I couldn’t change them. And the problems couldn’t be fixed within 48 hours, for example, understaffing of the police. No one holds a magic wand,” he reiterated.
Hartsiotis, defending the decisions made, mentioned that only under very exceptional circumstances and when the Police deem lives are at risk, the Ministers of Justice or Education, Youth, and Sports will decide whether to close the stadiums.
He clarified that they will not touch the autonomy of the CFA, while regarding the fan clubs, he said they must be integrated under the clubs. For these two issues, a bill was sent to the Legal Service for legal review.
Opposed to the decisions of the government was the president of the CFA Giorgos Koumas proposed joint decision-making between the Government and the Federation for the closure of stadiums, without, however, affecting the autonomy of football.
He also asked for the help and cooperation of the State to find a proper functioning formula for the fan clubs, saying that the clubs alone cannot control them.
He also spoke of close cooperation with the Police and emphasized that as a Federation, we do not want to mourn victims. The president of the CFA further called on the government to open the dialogue.
The reaction from the clubs to the revised bill proposed by the Ministry of Justice for combating violence in stadiums was collective.
Afxentis Evaggelou, General Manager of AEK, reminded that in June 2023 a memorandum was signed between the Ministry and CFA-CSO and other bodies, with four pillars.
“We saw nothing in practice. If those pillars were implemented, we wouldn’t have any problems,” he said, while regarding the issue of fan clubs, he expressed the opinion that it is not a matter for the clubs.
“Clubs cannot control fan clubs. There is legislation. If a fan club is illegal, it should be closed down. There are announcements on social media giving the impression that we are going to war,” said the AEK Larnaca representative.
AEL vice-president Nicolas Karasamanis reminded that in 2014 and 2018 a series of laws were passed, which were not functional in practice. “We at AEL do not have issues with the ordinary police; we ask the state to punish the moral perpetrators.”
Anorthosis President Andreas Santis requested experts from UEFA and England to propose suggestions, while APOEL President Prodromos Petrides emphasized that it is now 2024 and the fan card has not been implemented.
“The minister’s bill cannot be applied, nor can fan clubs be controlled by the clubs. If there is no courage from the Police with on-the-spot arrests and exemplary punishments, then nothing will happen,” he said.
On behalf of Apollonas, board member Socrates Ellinas agreed that clubs cannot bear the responsibility for fan clubs and added that experts from abroad may be a solution provided we implement their suggestions.
Finally, Omonia President Stavros Papastavros mentioned that the biggest problem I see as someone coming from abroad is impunity. Fan clubs have become terrorist organizations.”
The Chief of Police also spoke out about the attitude of football clubs towards violence. As he stated, the Police cannot be at the eye of the storm every week, policing a plethora of sports events.
Regarding police unions, the Cyprus Police Association sided with the measures, while the other two, Isotita and KAS ASDYK, are against them. Isotita spokesperson Nikos Loizides was strongly opposed, saying, “Take back the bill for the measures. If implemented, the problem will go to the cities. The only thing they didn’t assign to the police is the VAR”. “Fix the cameras in the stadiums and let us do our job,” he added.
